Patriots Select Quarterback Jimmy Garappolo in Second Round

The New England Patriots selected Eastern Illinois Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with the 30th selection in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, making him the 5th Quarterback to be chosen this year.

Garoppolo is a small school (Eastern Illinois is an FCS school) product that intrigued NFL teams with his lightning quick release, solid mobility, and ability to make throws to all levels of the field.

"Initially I was at a loss for woods really," Garoppolo said, when asked about receiving the phone call from the Patriots at #62 overall. "I couldn't picture it any better."

Breaking Down Garoppolo

The 6’2”, 226 pound Garoppolo threw for 13,156 yards and 118 touchdowns over his college career. His selection in Round 2 signals the possible end of Ryan Mallet’s time in New England as Tom Brady’s backup.

Garoppolo called it "a dream come true" to play for the Patriots and learn from his favorite player in Tom Brady. He said the thing he admires most about Brady is his poise in the pocket.

"He never seems to lose his cool," Garoppolo said of Brady. "I try to model myself after it."

Patriots' backup QB Ryan Mallett could be on the move.

Garoppolo says his greatest strength is his work ethic and the biggest thing he needs to improve is his knowledge of the NFL game.

"There's going to be a big learning curve, but I know that going into it," he said.

Eastern Illinois does have somewhat of an NFL pedigree with Tony Romo (the QB of the Dallas Cowboys) also a former Panther.

Garoppolo said he has met with Josh McDaniels and they had a good conversation in a pre-draft meeting. With McDaniels serving as the current Offensive Coordinator in New England, and potentially being the eventual successor to Bill Belichick, it wouldn't be a surprise if McDaniels had a say in drafting the presumed QB of the future for the Patriots.

"He has a lot of the qualities we admire in a Quarterback," said Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick.

Belichick said the qualities he feels a QB generally needs to have to be successful are to be cerebral, to be able to manage a game, to do what the team needs to win, to be accurate, to be smart, and to be productive. Garoppolo obviously hits on most or all of those qualities in the eyes of the Patriots.

Trading Down

The Patriots traded their third round pick (#93 overall) to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 105th and 179th overall picks. The Jaguars used the pick on Miami guard Brandon Linder.

"I felt like the value of moving back for whichever player we choose tomorrow, we could maintain the value of that pick and add a sixth round pick," Belichcik said.

The Patriots now have 7 picks on Saturday's final day. The Patriots have the 105th, 130th, 140th, 179th, 198th, 206th, and 244th overall picks.

"Hopefully we can continue to improve our team over the weekend," Belichick said.